Local mom Regan Wong found a nifty way to repurpose the contents of that long forgotten box, tucked away in a closet, filled to the brim with broken, sometimes wrapperless crayons.

The vibrant coloring tools undoubtedly lived a life of usefulness at one point, but rather than letting them sit on a shelf reminiscing about the good old days of elementary school, or letting them rot in a landfill, Wong is turning them in to something environmentally friendly and beautiful.

Wacky Crayons takes used crayons, melts them down and, using food-grade molds, crafts new, multicolored drawing tools in various shapes and sizes.

Mike and Leah Wong, children of Wacky Crayons creator Regan Wong, lend a helping hand as they make the unconventional drawing tool in the family’s garage.Photo contributed

“We didn’t invent this, but we’re sort of perfecting it along the way,” Wong said.

The last time the Liberty High School boys soccer team set foot on Mount Si’s home turf, they left as KingCo champions with a direct berth into the state tournament.

The Patriots returned April 9, and while the league title wasn’t directly on the line, the two were still battling to top the conference standings at the season’s midpoint.

By Christina Corrales-ToyColton Ronk (left), Liberty High School senior midfielder, looks on as Colton Oord, Mount Si junior defender, heads the ball away from the Wildcats’ goal during the second period of their April 9 soccer match.

Liberty was able to maintain its place atop the conference, after the teams, both considered among the best in the state, played to a scoreless draw.

Eagles throttle sedro-woolley, 13-1

Photos By Greg FarrarMitchell Morimoto, Issaquah High School senior, smashes the first of two home runs in one inning, in an April 12 baseball game against Sedro-Woolley. Morimoto led off the third inning with this solo shot. After six more runs, including a three-RBI ground-rule triple by senior Derek Chapman, and a pitching change by the Cubs, Morimoto hit another solo shot with two outs. The Eagles won, 13-1, in a mercy-shortened five-inning game.

By Greg FarrarJack Gellatly, Issaquah High School senior, slides for a two-RBI triple during the first inning.

Jack Dellinger, Issaquah High School sophomore pitcher, gets three Sedro-Woolley batters up and down in the second inning of the April 12 baseball game. Dellinger went the distance, improving his record to 2-0, striking out five, with three hits, in the 13-1 victory.

Chan’s Place is extremely unassuming, given its location. Its name is lit up in neon running over the strip mall exterior. A banner touting Chinese food and decrying MSG hangs over the neon sign.

There is no way you would expect its interior by walking past it. It is light and open and airy inside. The decor is filled with warm to neutral colors encouraging a calming meal.

A dinner in the first part of the week is nothing to hurry for; a Tuesday night dinner will get you prompt and pleasant seating by the hostess. There is ample seating around but you won’t feel isolated. Even with four or five tables in the relatively spacious dining room you still feel like you are around people. Conversations are carried throughout the room at just the right level: enough to hear them, but not enough to drown out your own conversation.

By Dan GundersonThe beef with black bean sauce is a can’t miss meal at Chan’s Place.

Marilyn Joan Grette, of Sammamish, passed away on Tuesday, April 1, 2014. She was 87 years of age.

Marilyn was born on Feb. 23, 1927, in Minneapolis, Minn., the daughter of Emanuel and Dagmar Burke. She graduated in 1945 from Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis.

Marilyn Joan Grette

She was married in Wenatchee to Olaf Grette, also of Minneapolis, in December 1949. Their four children were born in South Bend, Wash., where they lived until 1963. They left many dear friends in South Bend, settling in 1965 into a home on the Pine Lake plateau, where they made new friends and have lived now for 49 years.

Marilyn was known as Bug by her sweetheart Olaf and as Mimi to several grandchildren. A devoted wife and mother, she was also an artist and avid gardener. She loved cooking, hiking and skiing.

Combine a kick-stomping tribute to bluegrass, the suds of your favorite beers and the best of local sausages and you’ve got a memorably good time at the Kiwanis Club of Issaquah’s Boots, Brats & Brews.

The club’s first such event is from 6:30-9:30 p.m. April 24 at Pickering Barn, 1730 10th Ave. N.W. Attendees will be able to taste assorted beers and brats alongside other food samplings from local restaurants, while The Weavils keep toes tapping all night to their distinctive bluegrass sound.

Tori Gaines, event co-chairwoman, said the club wanted an event that would attract more than other Kiwanis members.

“People love to get together and taste food while supporting the community,” Gaines said. “It’s a fellowship kind of thing. The Kiwanis has always done an auction, but it tended to attract just Kiwanians. We wanted to get more of the community involved.”

Communities across the world will celebrate Easter on April 20, but Issaquah residents don’t have to go far to enjoy the holiday festivities.

Get a head start on the Easter holiday weekend with the city’s annual Underwater Egg Hunt and Carnival on April 18 at the Julius Boehm Pool, 50 S.E. Clark St.

Attendees should bring a swimsuit, towel and plastic basket to join in on the fun. Prizes are awarded for eggs gathered. While swimmers bob for eggs below, others can enjoy carnival games on the observation deck.